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Democrat Rebecca Amidon is the likely winner of Michigan’s 32nd Senate District race, defeating Republican Kim Cole by 2,362 votes, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s general election. All precincts in the five-county district have reported.
Amidon received 60,311 votes, or 51%, compared to Cole’s 57,949 votes, or 49%.
Cole, the four-term Mason County sheriff, carried three of the district’s five counties — Mason, Oceana and Manistee — while Amidon won Muskegon and Benzie counties. However, Amidon’s substantial margin in Muskegon County was enough to overcome Cole’s victories elsewhere in the district.
Muskegon County proved decisive in the race. Amidon received 40,533 votes compared to Cole’s 33,174, giving her a 7,359-vote advantage in the county.
The results remain unofficial pending certification by the county boards of canvassers.
Kim Cole
Cole wins Mason County by more than 2,600 votes
Cole, who has served as Mason County sheriff since 2013, received strong support from voters in his home county.
According to Mason County’s unofficial election report, Cole received 9,026 votes compared to Amidon’s 6,340, a margin of 2,686 votes.
Cole received 58.74% of the votes cast for the two candidates in Mason County, compared to Amidon’s 41.26%.
In neighboring Oceana County, Cole received 5,047 votes compared to Amidon’s 2,991, a margin of 2,056 votes.
Cole also carried Manistee County, where Amidon resides, receiving 5,230 votes compared to Amidon’s 4,960. His margin of victory there was 270 votes.
Benzie County was the closest county in the race. Amidon narrowly defeated Cole there by 15 votes, receiving 5,487 votes compared to Cole’s 5,472.
However, Amidon built a substantial advantage in Muskegon County, which accounts for the largest share of votes in the district. Her 7,359-vote margin there was greater than Cole’s combined margins in Mason, Oceana and Manistee counties.
Unofficial Michigan Senate District 32 results
All precincts reporting.
Rebecca Amidon (D): 60,311 — 51%
Kim Cole (R): 57,949 — 49%
Total votes for the two candidates: 118,260
Amidon leads by 2,362 votes.
County breakdown
Mason County:
- Kim Cole (R): 9,026
- Rebecca Amidon (D): 6,340
Muskegon County:
- Rebecca Amidon (D): 40,533
- Kim Cole (R): 33,174
Oceana County:
- Kim Cole (R): 5,047
- Rebecca Amidon (D): 2,991
Manistee County:
- Kim Cole (R): 5,230
- Rebecca Amidon (D): 4,960
Benzie County:
- Rebecca Amidon (D): 5,487
- Kim Cole (R): 5,472
Candidates outlined different priorities
The 32nd Senate District includes Mason, Oceana and Benzie counties and portions of Muskegon and Manistee counties. The seat is currently held by Republican Sen. Jon Bumstead, who is term-limited.
Amidon, 38, is an adjunct communication professor at Mid Michigan College. She has worked in higher education for more than a decade and holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Trine University and a bachelor’s degree in media and public communication from Purdue University Fort Wayne.
During the campaign, Amidon emphasized child care affordability and accessibility, public education funding and improved access to health care, particularly in rural communities.
She advocated for expanding child care subsidies and tax credits for working families, supporting rural schools and strengthening access to mental health services and rural health care facilities.
Cole, 62, is a fifth-generation Mason County resident and a graduate of Ludington High School and West Shore Community College. He has worked in law enforcement for more than four decades and is serving his fourth term as Mason County sheriff.
Cole defeated Republican Max Riekse in the August primary election to secure his party’s nomination.
Cole campaigned on affordability, education and public safety. He advocated for controlling state spending, reducing taxes and business regulations, supporting school choice and strengthening law enforcement and mental health services.
Both candidates discussed their priorities in an August interview with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.
The Senate seat carries a four-year term.
All election results are unofficial until certified.
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